Junior Buyer

Sysco

3d•$54,400 - $81,600

About The Position

The Junior Buyer is responsible for processing and ensuring timely delivery of products for direct customer shipments, while regularly monitoring vendor pricing, availability, and terms. This role serves as a direct contact for a sales organization of more than 200 Territory Managers, providing order status, pricing and freight quotes, tracking information, return-request assistance, delivery-discrepancy support, and proof of delivery. The position works with suppliers, sales, customer service, Accounts Payable, and Marketing to process orders, follow up on open shipments, resolve invoice discrepancies, obtain competitive freight rates, monitor deliveries, and identify product substitutes when items may be out of stock. The role is normally based in a standard office environment and typically requires a 40-hour work week, with potential overtime and limited travel on occasion.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
2–4 years of work experience.
Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and professional interaction skills.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from suppliers, customers, management, and staff in other departments.
Ability to work proactively and constructively with internal staff across departments.
Customer-service skills, including prompt responses to requests and appropriate follow-up.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities and deadlines, shift priorities as needed, and use time effectively.
Problem-solving skills, including timely identification and resolution of problems, skillful information gathering and analysis, and development of alternative solutions.
Sound judgment and willingness to make timely decisions.
Professionalism, tact, ability to react well under pressure, and follow-through on commitments.
Attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to build working relationships with vendors and customers.
Proficiency with PeopleSoft, Microsoft Windows, and Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including sitting, standing, walking, using hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and mouse, talking and hearing on the telephone, and reaching with hands and arms.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Buyer or purchasing experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide Territory Managers and regional Customer Service Representatives with order status, tracking information, pricing and freight quotations, proof of deliveries, return-request assistance, and product suggestions.
Review and process direct-ship customer orders, verifying vendors, pricing, freight-term codes, lead times, and product availability.
Follow up routinely with suppliers regarding the status of open orders.
Work with Accounts Payable to reduce and eliminate vendor invoice discrepancies, and work with problematic suppliers to help prevent errors.
Request quotes from multiple carriers to secure the lowest price and provide freight quotations to the sales force for customer quotes.
Monitor vendor deliveries to ensure direct customer shipments arrive on time.
Communicate potential out-of-stock situations to the sales force and work with Marketing to identify suitable substitutes.